RESISTANCE is brewing to plans to build a new budget supermarket where a pub has stood for the last 400 years.

German firm Aldi has told Guildford Borough Council it wants to demolish The Green Man pub on London Road, Burpham.

Campaigner Elizabeth Finnis, 57, who has lived in Burpham for 24 years, said the establishment was well used by elderly people living in nearby sheltered housing.

“It was a place where lots of people enjoyed going. Harvester provided a certain type of meal and people enjoyed it. It is very sad,” she said.

“I hope there is time to save the pub, not just because it is a matter of history, but it is something that this community needs, and it is something that would be well supported. The traffic would be a major issue. I cannot see any benefit of there being an Aldi there.”

Representatives from Aldi, including the property director, planning consultant and architect, held a meeting with Burpham Community Association last week.

Outline plans were unveiled, which include a 1,000sqm store with 14 one and two-bedroom flats, and 75 parking spaces. Entrance would be via Burpham Lane.

The Green Man closed in August and almost immediately the site was fenced off with metal panels. A pub has stood on the site since 1593. Mrs Finnis said the company did not say what would happen to the site if planning permission for a store was refused.

Previous owner, Mitchells and Butler, who own the Harvester chain, had tried to develop on the land two years ago.

The company, along with a housing developer, wanted to close the restaurant and put 70 apartments on the site, but the application was rejected because the planning inspector said it would have a harmful impact on the character of the area.

Burpham councillor Nick Brougham said he was sorry to see the Green Man go. “It was extraordinarily popular with families, and it would be a great tragedy to lose it. I went there with my family many a time,” he said.

“It was great for younger and older residents, and there is no other facility that fulfils the role. The Harvester served a purpose for Burpham and the area around. It is a huge loss.”

He added: “At this moment all we want is Aldi to be honest and put in a proper planning application, and make a proper judgment on its real intention.”

Aldi is renowned for selling everyday goods cheaply, as well as having weekly offers on electrical items.